If you experience chest pain, your first thought might be your heart. But, only 31% of chest pain cases have a connection to the heart. Even if it is related to the heart, it doesn’t mean it’s a heart attack.
There are a lot of different organs right under the chest cavity. A problem with one of these organs can often lead to chest pain. 42% of people with chest pain have a symptom related to their digestion—not the heart.
It’s good to ask yourself what happened just before you started experiencing chest pain. Maybe you ate something you shouldn’t have, or you’ve been under a lot of stress. This could help you narrow down the cause.
Chest pain causes that aren’t the heart:
- GERD
- The gallbladder/bile sludge
- Costochondritis
- Stress/panic attacks/broken heart syndrome
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumothorax
- Aortic dissection
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Shingles
- Pericarditis
I’ve had this arcing pain on my left side above the nipple for many years. The latest diagnosis was cartilage stress between the ribs. It occurs quite often and seems to go away with massage. I’ve had these cartilage or ligament stress problems especially in my ankles that feels and acts like a sprained ankle. I’m a basketball official and the limping goes away if I just keep running it off after 5 minutes of extreme pain. I believe most of my chest pain is related to diet and digestion. This video and the next one have been enlightening to me as possible solutions that none of my doctors have been able to explain. My heart is strong and I’m in great shape. My heart has been ruled out. Much of the pain seems related to gas pains and acid reflux. I was wondering if a liver or pancreatic cleanse would help. I’m taking those pills now.
This is the kind of guidance I needed! I have been presenting almost daily chest pain on the left side since April 2021, all around my chest, up to my left shoulder and sometimes behind my arm on the armpit area. Electrocardiograms, x-rays, breast ultrasound, all appeared well and docs in my city can’t seem to find anything wrong. I got covid three times and they told me maybe it’s the virus aftermath but no-one has ever tell me why exactly the pain appears. I was scared it was something heart or lungs related and didn’t know which specialist I should go to but I had no idea it could be due to digestive system issues! My mom is celiac and has a ton of other digestive problems, at last now I know which direction to start looking for a diagnosis, hopefully! Thank you so much!
I am diagnosed with depressive Anxiety disorder. I don’t directly have panic attacks I often have breathing problems, chest pressure and extra systols( I don’t know if that’s the correct English word for it). I’m seeing a therapist. But do you eventually have some tips for me to deal with those symptoms? And is it normal that these symptoms can feel so real and intense?
Thank you for posting this! I have a congenital heart defect that has lead to 7 stents, 21 heart caths, double bypass, sternum infection and many other issues. Every time I had/have chest pain, off to the ER! 99% of the time, it wasn’t cardiac related. Turns out, I had an esophageal blockage, which required surgery, and was experiencing esophageal spasms. If you’ve never had an esophageal spasm, thank the stars!! The pain will bring you to your knees and the symptoms mimic a heart attack. I also had a PE a few years ago, and was diagnosed with GERD. SO, I’ve learned to listen to my body. When in doubt, of course have it checked out, but most chest pain isn’t cardiac at all!!